Training for Areas of Specialization
There are 4 areas of specializations for certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. These specializations focus on additional training that build on the knowledge, skills, and abilities of Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. The training hours and core competencies covered vary by specialization.
CalMHSA does not endorse training in areas of specialization as a stand-alone training nor taking these trainings prior to the core competency training.
The four areas of specialization are:
Specialization Scholarships Available!
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has made funding available in the form of scholarships for training in areas of specialization for certified Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists. The scholarship covers one-time cost of training in an area of specialization.
There are 275 scholarships for each area of specialization and will be distributed by regions.
For information on scholarships requirements, availability and how to apply visit our Specialization Scholarships page.
Parent, Caregiver, Family Member Peer
Parent, Caregiver, Family Member Peer plays a critical role in the wellbeing of the families they serve. The Peer-to-Peer relationship focuses on the relationship between the parents, caregivers, and/or family member’s support on behalf of the person in care.
The specialization training for Medi-Cal Peers Support Specialist covers the following core competencies, which are taught in a 40-hour course.
- Professional Responsibilities
- Systems Knowledge and Navigation
- Resources and Natural Supports
- Wellness and Resiliency
- Effecting Change
Peer Services - In Crisis Care
In-Crisis Peer support services can complement clinical services and help individuals in crisis. The inclusion of peer support workers in crisis care helps facilitate a trauma-informed response and recovery oriented and strengths-based approaches. Peer support workers demonstrate that recovery is possible and act as an advocate for the individual. This may help improve outcomes, such as reduced trauma and agitation, increased trust, reduced hospitalizations and emergency department usage for mental and/or substance use disorders, reduced recurrence of symptoms, and decreased recidivism.
Following are the three categories and their core competencies for peer services for in-crisis care. Please note that situations can be fluid and escalate or de-escalate quickly from tension to crisis and back. The Peer support skills needed for this specialization carry across the artificial boundaries of these categories.
Prevention –
- Pathways to Crisis
- Prevention, De-Escalation, and Crisis Resolution
- Engagement and Resource Connection / Navigation
- Person-Centered Trauma-Informed
- Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use
During Crisis –
- Conflict Resolution
- Person-Centered Trauma-Informed
- Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use
- Crisis and special populations
Post-Crisis / Recovery / Ongoing Peer Support –
- Crisis planning and support
- Self-awareness and self-care
Peer Services for Unhoused
Peer support services for people who are unhoused can complement clinical services and help individuals who are unhoused or may become unhoused.
Individuals and/or families may have unique behavioral health challenges and/or co-conditions. Peer support specialists with experience being unsheltered or unhoused offer a unique perspective in supporting others meet their needs, including behavioral health, housing support, and health conditions.
Following are the core competencies for Specialization – Working with Persons Unhoused:
- Application of Lived Experience
- Empowerment and Promotion of Recovery
- Co-Occurring Disorders: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
- Special Populations and Cultural Considerations
- Trauma Informed Care
- Self-Awareness and Self-Care
- Conflict Resolution
- Professional boundaries and ethics
- Safety and crisis planning
- Systems and Resource Navigation
The complete and detailed Curriculum for Working with Persons Unhoused (previously known as landscape analysis) is available in our resource library.
Peer Services for Justice Involved
The experience with the criminal justice system can impact an individual’s life in many ways and it is best understood by individuals who have similar lived experience. Peers may support individuals with linking to services that address their behavioral health needs and preventing further involvement in the criminal justice systems and ease reentry into their community after incarceration.
Following are the core competencies for Specialization – Justice Involved:
- Application of Lived Experience
- Role of Advocacy
- The role of consumers and family members
- Engagement Skills and Interventions
- Cultural Responsiveness
- Trauma Informed Support
- Self-Awareness and Self-Care
- Co-occurring disorders of mental health and substance use
- Professional Boundaries and Ethics
- Safety and Crisis Planning
- Community Reintegration Support
- Recidivism Risk Factors
The complete and detailed Curriculum for working with Justice Involved (previously known as landscape analysis) is available in our resource library.
Training Providers for Specializations
Specialization Training Codes:
PG: Parent, Caregiver, Family Member / IC: In Crisis / UH: Unhoused / JI: Justice Involved
| Provider - Click for Information! | Provider Location (In Person Centers) | Specialization(s) * | Training Method | Training Modality | Training Hours | Training Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crestwood Behavioral Health, Inc. (Crestwood Recovery Resilience Solutions - CRRS) | Sacramento, CA | PG | - Online | - Cohort Style | Varies | 2 or 4 weeks long |
| Los Angeles County Partner Training Academy (PPTA) | Lancaster, CA | PG | - In person - Online | - Cohort Style | Half or Full Days | 76 Hours |
| Riverside University Health System – Behavioral Health | Downtown Riverside, Indio, Hemet, CA | PG | - In person | - Cohort Style | M - F 8:30a-5:00p | 5 days in total (40 hours) |
| Sycamores | Los Angeles, CA | PG | - Online | - Cohort Style | T - TH 9:00a - 5:00p | 40 Hours |
| Tarzana Treatment Centers College (TTCC) | Woodland Hills and Watts, CA | PG | - In person - Online | - Cohort Style - Individual | Varies | Varies |
| * Specialization Codes | PG - Parent, Caregiver, Family Member peer work training | IC = In Crisis peer work training | UH = Unhoused peer work training | JI = Justice involved peer work training |
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